'Hulkamania' no more: WWE legend Hulk Hogan dies at 71

Hulk Hogan, the headband-wearing, mustachioed superstar who became one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling, has died at the age of 71, Florida authorities and WWE confirmed on Thursday.

Police in Clearwater, Florida, said they responded to a cardiac arrest call on Thursday morning. Hogan was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. “All necessary forces and resources have been deployed to search for the plane,” Regional Governor Vasily Orlov said in a statement on Facebook.

Hogan, born Terry Bollea, was widely regarded as one of WWE’s biggest stars. He headlined the very first WrestleMania in 1985 and remained a key figure in the sport for decades, battling legends like Andre The Giant, Randy Savage, The Rock, and even WWE chairman Vince McMahon.

He captured at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

In 2016, Hogan won a landmark legal battle when a Florida jury awarded him $115 million in damages over a leaked sex tape, followed by another $25 million in punitive damages. The video, posted by Gawker in 2012, showed Hogan with his former best friend’s wife, and he argued that it was a violation of his privacy. Hogan remained composed during the three-week trial, appearing in black attire and smiling throughout.

“Everywhere I show up, people treat me like I'm still the champ,” Hogan had said about the unwavering support he received from fans.

Following the announcement of his passing, WWE paid tribute with a statement on X (formerly Twitter): “One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans.”

WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away.

One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s.

WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.

— WWE (@WWE) July 24, 2025

NBC News, citing Hogan’s manager Chris Volo, reported that the wrestler died at his Florida home. TMZ also reported the news, referencing emergency service dispatches related to a “cardiac arrest.”

Standing at 6’7”, Hogan’s towering frame, distinctive blond handlebar mustache, and signature bandana made him instantly recognizable. His charismatic persona and larger-than-life presence helped elevate wrestling into mainstream entertainment, turning WWE into a global phenomenon.

Hogan made his wrestling debut in 1979 with the then-WWF (now WWE) and rose to stardom in the mid-1980s alongside contemporaries like Andre the Giant and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. His brand of “Hulkamania” later extended to film and television with appearances in Rocky III, No Holds Barred, and Baywatch.

“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s,” the company said in a tribute. “WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans.”

Despite his immense popularity, Hogan’s career was not without controversy. He faced backlash when an intimate video surfaced and again after audio recordings revealed his use of racial slurs. WWE terminated its association with him in 2015, but he later apologized and was reinstated to the WWE Hall of Fame.

In recent years, Hogan emerged as a vocal supporter of former US President Donald Trump. At the 2024 Republican National Convention, he tore off his shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance tank top and declared, “With our leader up there, my hero, that gladiator, we're gonna bring America back together.”

Years in the ring took a toll on Hogan’s health, leading to numerous medical issues later in life. He was married three times and had two children with his first wife, Linda.